Water-power device



A. L. FRANKLW WATER POWER DEVICE Feb. 27,

:51, 1921' ,4 shets-shaet 1 Feb. 27, 1923. 1,446,697

A. L. FRANKLIN WATER POWER DEVICE Filed Oct. 51, 1921 4 sheets-sheet 2 Feb. 27, 1923. 1,446,697

I A. L. FRANKLIN I WATER POWER DEVICE Filed Oct. 51, 1921 4 sheetssheet 5 Feb. 27, 1923., L446,@97

' A. L. FRANKLIN WATER POWER DEVICE Filed 001;. 51, 1921 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Fish. 27, 19233 lhldd tiill WATER-1 0137 33 DEVICE.

Application filed October 31, 1921.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that A ,nAi-IA'M L. Fnannri ii, a citizenv of the United States, residing at Sentinel. in the county of vi ashita and t tate of *Okh-ihoma has invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vater- Powcr Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in water power devices. and more particularly to a device known as a tidal power house, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein great power may be derived by the ebb and flow of the tide.

Still another object of the invention resides in providing a pier or vertical memher which is supported in the ground and projects above the surface of the water and upon which operates a float in which the ower generating means is provided.

A still further object resides in providing a device which is comparatively simple and durable in construction, and one which is very eiiicient in operation.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consist-s in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claim.

Tn the accompanying drawings. forming a part of this application- Figure 1 is a plan view of the device,

Figure 2 is a front elevation with parts in section,

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section therethrough. as seen on the line 3-? of Figure 1,

Figure 1- is a horizontal section. as seen on the line 1-4: of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail vertical section as seen on the line 55 of Figure 1. and

Figure 6 is a transverse section. as seen on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

In describing the invention 1 shall refer to the drawings. in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. and in which 1 designates what I term a pier which is constituted of a steel well brace-d frame filled with concrete or cement. This pier is driven into the ground and projects some distance above the surface of the water at rivets or solder as desired.

Serial No. 511,874.

the desired spot where the power house is to be erected.

I provide in connection with this pier what may be termed generally a float. designated in the drawing as 2. This float is formed in the design of a house having a double flooring designated as 3 and 4-. The flooring 3 and i is spaced some distance apart and braced together by means of the metal frame work The float complete is preferably constituted of metal overlaid with galvanized iron which may be fastened with A door (3 s provided in the front of the house-like float to which. leads a walk 7. Windows S are provided therein for obvious purposes.

Arranged centrally within the flooring of the float 2 is an opening 9 through which the pier 1 projects. The projection of the pier within the house-like float depends entirely upon the depth of the water at which this pier is positioned. but this being a matter of degree it is immaterial.

Mounted within the housing and substantially surrounding the pier 1 is a casing 10 which extends to a point adjacent the roof of the housing 2. This casing is slotted along one side as shown at 11 to permit the teeth of a rack 12 to project therethrough said rack being carried on the pier 1, as clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Mounted on the flooring 4t of the housing 2 is a metal frame or support 13 and rotatably supported thereon is a shaft 14 which carries a drive pinion 15, the latter meshing with the teeth of the rack 12. Carried on one end of the shaft 14 is a large gear 16 which meshes with a small gear 17 on a short shaft 17*, the latter also being carried on the support or frame 13 and also carried on the shaft 17 beyond the gear 17 is a large gear 17", the later in turn meshing with a small gear 18 carried on a second short shaft 18. Also carried on the short shaft 18 is a large gear 18 which meshes with a small pinion 19 carried on the outer end of a rotatable shaft 20 which is carried on the support 13.

Rotatably supported on the casing 10 opposite the side through which the rack 12 projects is a bearing roller 25 which contacts with one face of the pier 1 in the operation of the device. Thus it will be seen that as the tide rises and falls therewith and through the objects the medium of the rack 12, the pinion and the train of gears above referred to, great power will be supplied to the shaft 20 which carries the lowermostgear 19 of the train of gears.

A large pulley 21 is provided on the outer end of the shaft 20 which connects through the medium of a belt or the like 22 with a generator 23. Thus it will be seen that from the power derived from the rise and :falloi the tide the generator will be driven to provide a constant source of energy.

. From the foregoing description of theconstruction of 'my improved device, the operationwill be readily understood and it will. be seen that Ihave provided a simple, inexpensive and eflicient means :for carrying out of my invention.

While I have particularly described the elements bestadapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form and proportion, and in the minor details of construction, may he resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a device of the class described, the combination with a post mounted in the ground and projected a considerable distance above the surface of the water, said post being formed of a metal frame reinforced with a plastic and metal composition,

and a rack carried'on the upper portion of said post; of a float designed in the formof a housing and provided with a double spaced bottom, said bottom-being braced and provided centrally with an opening through which said post is projected, a casing mounted in said housing surrounding said post and provided with a slot through which the rack of said post projects, a support Within the housing, a pinion rotatably mounted on said support and meshing with said rack, gearing in connection with said pinion for'the generation of power, and electrical generating means in connection with said gearing,

In testimony whereofI affix my'signature.

ABRAHAM L. FRANKLIN." 

